Can Chicken Eat Ginger?

Last Updated on October 27, 2021 by Pauline G. Carter

With all the health benefits that ginger has to offer, a lot of people wonder if their chickens can eat ginger. Sure, there are quite a number of studies showing the benefits of ginger to chickens, but how true are these? Find out if chickens can eat ginger, and what benefits it offers to them.

Is Ginger Good for Chickens?

Yes, ginger is good for chickens. It is a well-known appetite stimulant and anti-oxidant. This herb is also a perfect stress-reliever for chickens when the pressure of crowing becomes too much. Lest we forget, ginger is a magic worker for stimulating blood flow and boosting their circulatory system. 

With all of these, you should incorporate ginger into your chickens’ diet. It is great during the cold winter season.

Nutritional Composition Table of Ginger

What are the Benefits of Ginger for Chickens?

Ginger is known as one of the healthiest and most potent spices on earth. Its health benefits are not confined to humans alone, chickens also stand to benefit a lot from meals enriched with ginger.

1. Anti-inflammatory

The nutrients in ginger prevent inflammation. They reduce stress and stimulate a calm environment that supports increased blood flow. Another herb that can help with calming your chickens is lavender.

2. Appetite Booster

Ginger is a great appetite stimulant. So, if you notice a drop in your fowl’s appetite, whip out your magic ginger and you should begin to see an increase in its appetite.

3. Anti-bacterial Properties

Ginger has anti-bacterial properties. That means that ginger acts as a natural drug against bacteria in the environment. Considering the increased issue of antibiotic resistance in chicken populations, ginger is a potent natural alternative.

4. Improved Immune Response

Looking for a great way to improve your bird’s immune response? Try ginger. Ginger boosts the chicken’s immune system while also aiding digestion.

5. Increased Egg Production

Commercial chicken farms use ginger to increase molting in birds. It stimulates egg production such that they are able to meet up with the ever-increasing demand for eggs. Find out more about ginger and its effects on hens in subsequent sections.

6. Healthier Eggs

Adding ginger extract to chicken feed helps increase the production of eggs low in cholesterol. These eggs are considered a treasure for consumers since they are healthier for humans.

Ginger and Laying Birds

Whilst researching the benefits of gingers for chickens, we came across research done by Dr. Zhao. In it, he studied the effect of gingers on hens, more specifically, how ginger affects egg-laying. The conclusion of the research was that hens that had their feed supplemented with ginger produced more eggs than hens that didn’t have.

Is Ginger Good for Hens?

Yes, ginger is good for hens. Dr. Zhao’s research showed that dietary supplementation of ginger in powder form improved the laying performance of hens. Not only laying performance, but ginger also boosts the serum and egg yolk antioxidant capacity and increases the dietary oxidation stability.

How Can You Feed Ginger to Chickens?

If you raise poultry birds, you have probably noticed that they eat almost everything. So, that means that getting them to eat ginger won’t be challenging.

There are different ways you can incorporate ginger into your chickens’ diet. You can try scattering dry ginger on their food or grating a bit of the fresh ginger into their oatmeal. Whether you choose to add dry ginger or fresh root, it is your choice. 

Can Chickens Eat Ginger Peel?

Yes, chickens can eat ginger root peel. Ginger is an excellent supplement for chickens. Studies show that ginger acts as an antioxidant, reduces stress, boosts appetite, and stimulates egg-laying in chickens. The best part is that you can toss your chickens the ginger root peel; they’ll eat it.

Can You Give Chickens Fresh Ginger?

Yes, you can. In fact, we recommend giving your chickens fresh ginger. The reason for this is that gingers contain more nutrients when they are fresh. As they begin to get older and dry out, they lose some of their nutrients.

You can dice the ginger so that the birds don’t choke on them and then mix it thoroughly with the chicken feed. Mixing the diced ginger with the feed allows the feed to soak up all the goodness of ginger.

Can Chickens Eat Dry Ginger?

Yes, chickens can eat grated dry ginger. However, we must warn you that it won’t have as many nutrients as fresh ginger. But a little nutrient is better than none at all.

Sprinkle the grated ginger on the chicken feed. Ensure the portion of feed is small so that the ginger doesn’t get lost in the leftover feed. 

Can Chickens Eat Ginger Leaves?

Yes, chickens can be fed ginger leaves. Like ginger roots, the leaves of this plant are great for chickens. They help prevent common stomach issues such as gas and indigestion.

Thus, if your chicken is having some digestive issues, you can crush some ginger leaves and sprinkle them on its feed. In less than a day, your chicken’s digestive problems will be a thing of the past and your chickens should be back to normal.

How Much Ginger Can You Give to Chickens?

Ginger, whether in powdered form or fresh form should be given to chickens in moderation. Regardless of the health benefits it offers, excess ginger will cause digestive problems like upset stomach and diarrhoea for the bird. Thus, we advise that you add no more than 15g of ginger per kilo of chicken food.

Another crucial thing to take note of is that this herb shouldn’t be given to the birds every day; a few days a week is ok. You can incorporate other herbs into your chickens’ diet.

Conclusion

Now that you know all the health benefits ginger offers your chickens, the smart move will be to take advantage of it. It may seem smart to load your birds with ginger but remember, moderation is vital. Go ahead and give your chickens a taste of the goodness of ginger today.

About Author (Pauline G. Carter)

Pauline G. Carter is a well-known pet blogger who has written about the world of pets for several years. She is passionate about pets, from cats and dogs to birds, reptiles, and poultry. Her blog, which is updated regularly, is filled with articles and guides on pet care, nutrition, and training. She also shares her experiences and observations on pet ownership, making her blog relatable and informative for pet lovers. She is a true animal advocate and is dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership. Let’s Go …